The END of LOVE (On Hold)

Chapter 3: Party?

3

Nandito ako ngayon sa bahay. Nagpapahinga kasi Saturday, naglilinis ako ng kwarto ko when the cellphone ring. I didn’t bother to answer it because it’s unregistered number. Baka binigay na naman nga kaibigan ko ang number sa isang lalaki.

After awhile it stops, so I resume in cleaning my room. I took my old things outside, when a picture fell on the ground. I look at it and smile.

I remember this picture. It was taken during summer at my lolo’s resthouse. I was very cute way back then but I am beautiful now. I brush away the thoughts when someone caught my attention. It was a group picture, there, you could see my Lolo, Lola, Kuya Tim, me, my two cousins, a boy, our Nanay Beth (yaya), and Manong Rod (head of the security).

I wonder what happen to this young man. As I remember he is a year older than me and he is the son of Manong Rod. When my lolo went to Chicago to have a vacation, I didn’t notice again Manong Rod at Lolo’s house nor at the resthouse.

I was interrupted with the thought when my cellphone rang again, I didn’t bother to see whose calling. I just pulled it on my pocket and answer…

“Hellooow..” a very sweet of me.

“Hi, Steff. Carol here, sorry to disturbed you. But can you meet now. At Hailey’s Boutique. The one that I told you?” Oh, so it was Caroline who calls me awhile ago.

“Oh.! Okey, I’ll be there after 45 mins, is it fine with you? I still need to take a bath.” I answered her.

“Kyaa, see ya. Ciao!”  and I ended the phone.

 Hay nako naman, wrong timing. Pahinga day ko ngayon eh. Kainis.

After 30 mins. tapos na akong maligo at magbihis and went downstairs. To my surprise, I saw Iñigo sitting at our sofa. I saw him laughing with my friends, 2 of them.

“Pwede ko na bang mahingi ang number mo, Raphael?” Sabi ni Margareth.

“Hah?! Hehehe, baka may magalit eh.” Talaga!, patay ka gf mo nyan.

“Hindi magagalit si Steff. Hindi ka pa naman nya pinapapakilala as boyfriend nya hah.” Sabat naman ni Chelsea.

Teka ba’t nasali pangalan ko, ano ba problema nilang tatlo sa akin.

“Ano yan?!” Panggulat ko sa kanila. “Ba’t nasali ang pangalan ko. Hindi naman ata tama yun na basta basta nyo na lang idadawit ang pangalan ko sa…” hindi ko na natapos pa kasi bigla tumayo si Iñigo at sinabing.

“Tara na, may lakad pa ako. Ang tagal mo matapos maligo.” Galit? Eh, nakikipagharutan lang naman sya diba.

Walang anu ano ay hinatak nya ako papunta sa kotse nya. Pinapasok at nag-drive.

“Galit ka kuya?” pang iinis ko. “Kung may lakad ka pala, bakit ka nandtio? Baka sabihin mo pa ginugulo ko ang schedule mo.”

Angal ko. Kani kanina lang nakikipagtawanan pa sya sa mga kaibigan ko pero ngayon naka busangot ang mukha nya.

“Pinapapasundo ka ni Carol…” mukang malungkot ang boses nya na parang alangan.

Katahimikan. Hindi ako sumagot sa sinabi nya kasi parang nararamdaman ko yung lungkot.

Nakarating na kami sa boutique na sinabi ni Caroline pero hindi pa rin kami nag-uusap.

Bumaba ako at nagpaalam. Siya naman tumango lang.

Pag-apak ko sa labas ng kotse, bumaba din pala siya. Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya.